American Memory Project from the Library of Congress
The American Memory Project compiled by the Library of Congress is a comprehensive database of images in their collection. While the Library does not own the copyrights to the images they display, they do provide copyright information when available. I also think that through Fair Use, the use of these items would be perfectly acceptable in a school project. This is an outstanding collection of historical photographs that document the development of our nation. Library of Congress American Memory Project
Creative Commons searches Google Images
Creative Commons is a site that specializes in helping users find items that they can use, reproduce, and even modify as long as they give credit to the creator. By using the Creative Commons search feature, users can use search engines like Google while specifying that they are looking for images that been labeled for reuse. This is a great option for students to find images that fits their usage needs. Creative Commons Google Image Search
Easy Stock Photos
Easy Stock Photos works to provide a database of copyright-free stock images that can be used easily for educational projects. The database is searchable or can be explored by categories. Not a fancy website, but a good source of images. EasyStockPhotos.com
FreeFoto
This website boasts that it contains "the largest collection of free photos on the internet." It also says that as long as the use of the photos is for non-commercial purposes, all of the images are free for download and use. I did notice that the site has many ads, but that is not a deterent for me. I found many great photographs that would work well in school projects FreeFoto.com
Pics4Learning
Pics4Learning is a website devoted to providing free photographs for teachers and students. The website is searchable and offers a browse feature where the user can look in various categories and subcategories without having a specific search term. Pics4Learning.com
Copyright Free Music and Sound
Creative Commons Audio
Creative Commons is a site that specializes in helping users find items that they can use, reproduce, and even modify as long as they give credit to the creator. Creative Commons Audio provides an extensive collection of audio bites and music that would be of great help to students in the creation of projects. Creative Commons Audio
The Free Sound Project
This Creative Commons database was developed with the purpose of creating a comprehensive place where users could upload sound clips. The site specifically says that it is not intended for music, but rather for sound effects and clips. Because these resources are clearly marked with their Creative Commons licenses, this is a great resource for students. The Free Sound Project
Jamendo
Jamendo claims to be "the world's #1 platform for free and legal music downloads." Through the use of Creative Commons licenses, the site offers access to music clips that can be reproduced or even remashed without worrying about copyright restrictions. You do have to join Jamendo to download music, but the membership is free. Jamendo
Musopen
This website, created by a non-profit organization, has the goal of providing easy access to classical, copyright free music. The site is searchable by composer, time period, or instrument and in addition to audio files, print textbooks and sheet music are also available. Users also have the ability to live-stream music for their own enjoyment. Musopen
Read the Words
This online site allows users to type their text into the computer and have it read out loud by one of 15 voices. Users can save their files as mp3s or embed them into websites and blogs. This program would be especially helpful for students who are auditory learners. Instead of reading material, they can have it read to them, or even create an avatar who can read as they follow along. Read the Words
Cartoon Makers and Animators
Aniboom's ShapeShifter
Aniboom's Shape Shifter software is designed to help even the most novice of animators create their own flash animations. The website is free and provides free tutorials, but I will caution that the process seems complicated and may take a great deal of time to master. Completed animations can be saved as gif files or uploaded to websites. Shape Shifter
Go! Animate 4 Schools
This education branch of the popular site Go! Animate allows educators to register and receive 100 free accounts for students to create online animations up to two minutes in length. Teachers have access to create an unlimited number of animations of unlimited lengths. Additional features (like teacher moderation and social networking) are available in at premium version. Go Animate 4 Schools
Pixton
Pixton's drag and drop style of animation makes the process easy for even the most novice of users. In addition to free individual accounts, the site does offer school and teacher accounts with added perks. This would be an easy, fun way for students to create their own animations Pixton
ToonDoo
ToonDoo is a site that offers users a quick way to create cartoons (not animations). Accounts are free and completed cartoons can be embedded or accessed via a unique URL. ToonDoo
XtraNormal
XtraNormal is an animation site that offers users the ability to create their own unique characters, add dialogue, and develop unique cartoons. The site allows access to some aspects of the software for free, but many of the features are available only on a pay-as-you-go basis. Not my first choice for student use, but it does have potential. XtraNormal
Digital Storytellers
DigitalStoryteller
Digital Storyteller is a website created in conjuction with Primary Access (a site intended to incorporate primary sources into digital presentations). Through the site, students choose images and record their own voices to create slideshow presentations. Digital Storyteller
Our Story
OurStory is a collaborative website that allows multiple users to work on the same project. OurStory creates entries in a timeline format, allowing for descriptions of photos and videos the user uploads. I think OurStory is nice because multiple students could be working on the same project - for free! OurStory
VoiceThread
VoiceThread provides a very professional slideshow program integrating voice recordings, documents, images, and videos into professional-looking presentations that can be shared or created collaboratively. Unfortunately, this program is not free, but educator, class, and school rates are available. VoiceThread
Windows MovieMaker
MovieMaker specializes in taking your own personal media and combining it with music, narration, and transitions to create a seamless presentation. As a digital storyteller, MovieMaker allows users to import their own photographs or videos and tell the true stories of their lives. Download MovieMaker
Xtimeline
XTimeline is a exactly what its name says - a timeline based website that can incorporate images and videos. I would caution that there seem to be a lot of ads on this website and many blend in. XTimeline
Sources
Copyright Free Images
American Memory Project from the Library of CongressThe American Memory Project compiled by the Library of Congress is a comprehensive database of images in their collection. While the Library does not own the copyrights to the images they display, they do provide copyright information when available. I also think that through Fair Use, the use of these items would be perfectly acceptable in a school project. This is an outstanding collection of historical photographs that document the development of our nation.
Library of Congress American Memory Project
Creative Commons searches Google Images
Creative Commons is a site that specializes in helping users find items that they can use, reproduce, and even modify as long as they give credit to the creator. By using the Creative Commons search feature, users can use search engines like Google while specifying that they are looking for images that been labeled for reuse. This is a great option for students to find images that fits their usage needs.
Creative Commons Google Image Search
Easy Stock Photos
Easy Stock Photos works to provide a database of copyright-free stock images that can be used easily for educational projects. The database is searchable or can be explored by categories. Not a fancy website, but a good source of images.
EasyStockPhotos.com
FreeFoto
This website boasts that it contains "the largest collection of free photos on the internet." It also says that as long as the use of the photos is for non-commercial purposes, all of the images are free for download and use. I did notice that the site has many ads, but that is not a deterent for me. I found many great photographs that would work well in school projects
FreeFoto.com
Pics4Learning
Pics4Learning is a website devoted to providing free photographs for teachers and students. The website is searchable and offers a browse feature where the user can look in various categories and subcategories without having a specific search term.
Pics4Learning.com
Copyright Free Music and Sound
Creative Commons Audio
Creative Commons is a site that specializes in helping users find items that they can use, reproduce, and even modify as long as they give credit to the creator. Creative Commons Audio provides an extensive collection of audio bites and music that would be of great help to students in the creation of projects.
Creative Commons Audio
The Free Sound Project
This Creative Commons database was developed with the purpose of creating a comprehensive place where users could upload sound clips. The site specifically says that it is not intended for music, but rather for sound effects and clips. Because these resources are clearly marked with their Creative Commons licenses, this is a great resource for students.
The Free Sound Project
Jamendo
Jamendo claims to be "the world's #1 platform for free and legal music downloads." Through the use of Creative Commons licenses, the site offers access to music clips that can be reproduced or even remashed without worrying about copyright restrictions. You do have to join Jamendo to download music, but the membership is free.
Jamendo
Musopen
This website, created by a non-profit organization, has the goal of providing easy access to classical, copyright free music. The site is searchable by composer, time period, or instrument and in addition to audio files, print textbooks and sheet music are also available. Users also have the ability to live-stream music for their own enjoyment.
Musopen
Read the Words
This online site allows users to type their text into the computer and have it read out loud by one of 15 voices. Users can save their files as mp3s or embed them into websites and blogs. This program would be especially helpful for students who are auditory learners. Instead of reading material, they can have it read to them, or even create an avatar who can read as they follow along.
Read the Words
Cartoon Makers and Animators
Aniboom's ShapeShifter
Aniboom's Shape Shifter software is designed to help even the most novice of animators create their own flash animations. The website is free and provides free tutorials, but I will caution that the process seems complicated and may take a great deal of time to master. Completed animations can be saved as gif files or uploaded to websites.Shape Shifter
Go! Animate 4 Schools
This education branch of the popular site Go! Animate allows educators to register and receive 100 free accounts for students to create online animations up to two minutes in length. Teachers have access to create an unlimited number of animations of unlimited lengths. Additional features (like teacher moderation and social networking) are available in at premium version.
Go Animate 4 Schools
Pixton
Pixton's drag and drop style of animation makes the process easy for even the most novice of users. In addition to free individual accounts, the site does offer school and teacher accounts with added perks. This would be an easy, fun way for students to create their own animationsPixton
ToonDoo
ToonDoo is a site that offers users a quick way to create cartoons (not animations). Accounts are free and completed cartoons can be embedded or accessed via a unique URL.ToonDoo
XtraNormal
XtraNormal is an animation site that offers users the ability to create their own unique characters, add dialogue, and develop unique cartoons. The site allows access to some aspects of the software for free, but many of the features are available only on a pay-as-you-go basis. Not my first choice for student use, but it does have potential.
XtraNormal
Digital Storytellers
DigitalStoryteller
Digital Storyteller is a website created in conjuction with Primary Access (a site intended to incorporate primary sources into digital presentations). Through the site, students choose images and record their own voices to create slideshow presentations.
Digital Storyteller
Our Story
OurStory is a collaborative website that allows multiple users to work on the same project. OurStory creates entries in a timeline format, allowing for descriptions of photos and videos the user uploads. I think OurStory is nice because multiple students could be working on the same project - for free!
OurStory
VoiceThread
VoiceThread provides a very professional slideshow program integrating voice recordings, documents, images, and videos into professional-looking presentations that can be shared or created collaboratively. Unfortunately, this program is not free, but educator, class, and school rates are available.
VoiceThread
Windows MovieMaker
MovieMaker specializes in taking your own personal media and combining it with music, narration, and transitions to create a seamless presentation. As a digital storyteller, MovieMaker allows users to import their own photographs or videos and tell the true stories of their lives.
Download MovieMaker
Xtimeline
XTimeline is a exactly what its name says - a timeline based website that can incorporate images and videos. I would caution that there seem to be a lot of ads on this website and many blend in.
XTimeline